Cutter chain



April 30, 1935. M. P. HOLMES CUTTER CHAIN Filed April 17, 1930- jllrnwron: Norm/s l/oz. HES. B f

HTT'X Patented Apr. 30, 1935 Q a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CUTTER CHAIN Morris P. Holmes, Claremontfl. H.,' assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of, Massachusetts Application April 17, 1930, Serial No. 443,141

88 Claims; (Cl. 262-33)- This invention relates to improvements in tween the sides to form lateral ears, the outer ends cutter chains including the method of forming of the slots being inclined as at I. The slot or the same and more particularly has reference to recess 3 receives the connecting links 2 between improvements in cutter chains for coal mining the lateral ears and the links are pivotally con- 6 machines. nected to the blocks by transverse pins 5 passing 5 An object of this invention is to provide an through perforations in the ears. In the present improved cutter chain and more particularly an construction there are formed on the opposite sides improved cutter block and improved means for of the cutter block, laterally projecting, longituholding the cutter bits in the cutter block. Andinally extending guide lugs 6 receivable during 10 other object is to provide an improved cutter normal operation of-the chain in guiding groove 10 chain block and improved cutter bit holding 1 formed on a cutter chain support or bar 8, as means whereby the cutter bit may be carried and shown in Fig. 2. These guiding surfaces have a held in an improved manner at thesame time width materially greater than the diameter of the that an exceedingly simple, positive, and rugged connecting pins thus afiording not only a guiding 35 construction is retained. A further object is to lug of substantial proportions, but also a subprovide an improved construction and arrangestantial bearing for the connecting pins. It is ment of clamping means for the cutter bit in the also seen from this improved arrangement, that cutter block. A still further object'is to provide the distance from the upper guiding surfaces to an improved cutter chain wherein a single cutter the point of the cutter bit provides a minimum block is used for supporting the cutter bits in turning arm, thereby efiectively resisting tend- 20 all positions, thereby eliminating the necessity of ency of the lin s to buc ahe guiding s ace many different cutter blocks and minimizing the are also tapered as at 9 as by a straight p 0 cost of manufacture and repair. Yet another th uppe sur a wh th corresponding p t object is to provide an improved cutter chain on the lower surface is curved. It will be noted having. improved cutter block and improved stra that the curved and straight tapers commence at 2 construction for connecting the cutter blocks. points not far from vertical alinement with the Yet another object is to provide an improved axis of the pins l h n r n e With cutter block having an improved guide constructhe theo y f p ra n of my mpr v d arran tion for engaging the guide grooves on the cutter ment the guides could be shorter than the distance chain support or bar. These and other objects between the centers of the pins of any one block. 30 and advantages of this invention will, however, By having t e u d surfaces disposed on each hereinafter more fully appear. side of the connecting pins and of not greater In the accompanyingdrawing there is shown length than the distance between the centers for purposes of illustration two forms which the there is no poss y o y portion of the guidin invention may assume in practice. surfaces being pivotally swung outwardly against 35 In this drawing,-- the guiding surfaces of the cutter bar as would Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the illusbe the case were the upper gui i surface, f trative embodiment of the improved cutter chain. instanc ex nd d past ve ti al a in ment with Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view th pin nt r r if the upp u d n sur ac w take substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. l. disposed below the guiding pins and terminated in 40 Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken cen- Vertical alinement with the center thereof. In

trally through one of the cutter blocks and its this latter case it will be seen that any tendency connecting straps. oi the cutter block to rotate around the pin would Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken subcause the end of the guiding su fa e t swing stantially on line i-d of Fig. 3. about the pin as its center and into undue engage- 45 Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sectional views illusment with the cutter bar guiding surface. trating a portion of the bit holding structure. The guide lugs t are preferably slotted at it Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modion only one side of the connecting pin holes, and fled form of construction. are of such a length that the holding members,

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated here i th fo of C t p II can be started r in Figs. 1 to 6 there is'shown a cutter chain made into the cotter pin holes at an inclined position up oi a series of cutter blocks i of improved conand then upon continued insertion of the cotter struction connected together in an improved manpin, it is allowed to spring into its recess i ii. The nor by a series of connecting links 2. The cutter normally free end of the cotter pin terminates blocks are longitudinally slotted at 3 centrally bewithin the connecting pin instead of projecting therethrough and spread as usual. The cotter pin cannot work out of the pin due to having been sprung into the slot l0, it being understood that the length of the slot and pin areso relatively proportioned that during insertion of the pin'it is not bent.

Formed on the ends of .the cutter block are projections l2 and I3 and these projections and the lateral ears present abutment surfaces 14 which would prevent any backward tilting of the cutter blocks. It has also been found in practice that when a cutter chain is moving rapidly around a sprocket wheel (carried by the cutter chain sup-'- port or bar 8 and driving or guiding the cutter chain) there is a tendency for the chain to follow the sprocket beyond the point where it should be disengaged therefrom to enter the guide grooves in the cutter bar. The abutment surfaces on the projections J2 and I3 and the lateral ears cause a positive disengagement of the chain and sprocket wheel at the desired point.

Now referring to the improved cutter block and its associated cutter bit holding structure, it will be noted that the cutter blocks are identical in design, thereby eliminating the necessity of a plurality of different cutter blocks for holding the cutter bits in their different positions. Each of the cutter blocks is transversely slotted at l5 and is provided with alined bores l6 and I! in upstanding portions of the bit block spaced by the transverse slot. The rear upstanding projection is provided with a flat surface 18. Mounted in the bores l6 and H in the bit block is a cylindrical holding member I9 having an enlarged head 20 provided with a flattened surface 2| engageable with the surface I8 for preventing rotation of the bit holder about its axis. In the present design the bit holder I9 is transversely slotted at 22 to receive the shank of a usual cutter bit 23. As shown in Fig. 3, the bit holder I9 is axiallythreaded at 24 in its forward end to receive a standard set screw 25. It will be noted that to provide different positions of the cutter bits upon different blocks, a plurality of bit holding members are provided having their enlarged head portions 20 flattened at different points as at 26 in Fig. 6 so that thecutter bit held thereby may project at different angles from the bit holder, the bit herein having four positions at one side of the median line of the cutter chain. To provide four positions at the other side of the median line the bit block is merely turned end for end and the bit holder slipped into the bore at the other end of the bit block, there being provided projections 21 having flattened surfaces (engageable with the flattened surface on the bit holder) at its other end. It will thus be seen that eight positions of the cutter bits are obtainable with a plurality of bit blocks of identical design, it being only necessary in order to obtain these positions to flatten the enlarged head portions of the bit holders at different points to change the angle of the cutter bits. In order to obtain a greater or less number of cutter bit positions the holder heads 28 may be flattened at any angle relative to the cutter bit slots 22. In order to maintain the same width of kerf, whether the bits are disposed for reverse or forward operation, the relative angle between the fiat portion of the head 20 and the cutter bit slot is such that the outer bit 40 will, when the holder l9 and cutter bit are reversed, be in the position of the cutter bit 4! and vice versa, while the bit 42 when reversed will be in the position of the bit 43 and vice versa. It is a further desirable feature in connection with my improved chain arrangement to have more cutter bits near the edge of the kerf than in the intermediate parts thereof. 'I'heresult is that the desired width of kerf is maintained by a relatively small amount of flnecuttings while the relatively few intermediate bits tend to gouge out the coal in fairly large lumps between the edges of the kerf; thereby reducing the amount of small cuttings which haveless value than the larger coal. It is seen that by my improved cutter blocks, bits may be disposed as'close together as desired at the outer portions of the kerf merely by inserting a bit holder with the head thereof provided with a proper angularly disposed flat surface. Under certain emergency conditions it is clear that an operator ma very readily grind further flat surfaces on the holder heads so as to obtain any position desired, it being also clear that if desired the head edges could be originally. provided with a plurality of flat surfaces to permit a similar choice of positions but-it is preferred to have only a single possible position-for each holder to avoid the possibility of an improper number of similar positions.

In the modified form shown in Fig. '7 a cutter block 28 is provided with an upstanding portion 29 having a' bore 30.' The bit block is recessed at 3l'with either an arcuate or flat bottom surface, to receive the inner end of the bit shank. Arranged within the bore 30 is a cylindrical holding member 32 having a transverse slot 33 receiving the cutter bit and an enlarged head portion 24 at the front side of the bit block. This head portion is'flattened at 35 for engagement with a flat surface on the bit block. The rear end of the the slot 22 in the bit holder l9 and the set screw- 25 then' adjusted to rigidly clamp the rear surface of the cutter bit against the bit block. As the set screw is tightened, turning of the bit holder I9 is prevented by engagement of the flat surfaces on the head 20 and the projections It or 21 on the bit block. The cutter bit may be released simply by loosening the set screw. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 the cutter bit is merely inserted within the slot 33 in the'bit holder and rigidly clamped in position by tightening of the adjusting nut 31. It is to be noted that the backing surface 38 against which the cutter 'bit is adapted to rest as shown in Fig. 4 has the same degree of inclination as the surfaces l8 thereby permitting all of these surfaces to be finished with one milling operation. I

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved cutter chain is provided of extremely simple and rugged .construction wherein the necessity of a plurality of separate bit blocks to obtain the different positions of the cutter bit is unnecessary. It will further be noted that due to the arrangement 'of the bit holders" in the bit blocks it is possible by a simple rearrangement of the parts to vary the position of the cutter bits, it only being necessary to insert different bit holders within the cutter blocks to obtain these positions. It will further be noted that the cutter bit is held within the cutter block by a simple clamping action, it being only necessary to adjust a single element to clamp and release the bit. It will also be noted that by arranging the cutter blocks in end abutting relation and by providing projections on the blocks having abutment surfaces all tendency of the cutter chain to follow the sprocket wheels or to tilt backward is prevented. These and other uses and advantages of the improved cutter chain will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described two forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these formsof the same are shownfor purposes of iilustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore, and cutter bit positioning means for supporting and holding a cutter bit including a member insertable in said bore and having a flattened surface engaging with a corresponding flattened surface on the link for determining the angular relation of the bit with respect to the chain link and for positively holding the bit in such relation.

'2. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore, and means for supporting a cutter bit in any one of a plurality of angularly disposed positions including interchangeable members insertable in saidbore.

3. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore, and means for supporting and holding a cutter bit in any one of a plurality of angularlydisposed positions including an interchangeable member disposed within said bore and having provision adapted for cooperation with said link for determining the angular relation of the bit to be held.

4. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore terminating adjacent a face of the link body, and means for clamping a cutter bit against said face including a member insertable in said bore and having an opening to receive the cutter bit, and contactable surfaces on said member and link for holding said member in a single predetermined position in said bore and for determining the angular relation of the bit with respect to the link body.

5. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore terminating adjacent a face of the link body, means for clamping a cutter bit against said face including a member insertable in said bore and having an opening to receive the cutter bit, and means carried by said member and engaging said bit for tightening said cutter bit against said face and securing said insertable means within said bore.

6. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extendin bore, a bolt disposable therein, means whereby it is insertable within'said bore at a predetermined angular position, and means carried by said member and engaging said bit for clamping a cutter bit against a portion of said link while positively subjecting said bolt to a holding force.

7. A cutter chain link'having a pair of members, and means for clamping a cutter bit between said members including a set screw, said members having provision whereby one is removable bodily vided with a head and a slot in which a cutter bit is disposable, said head andlink body having cooperating contactable relatively flat portions adapted to permit insertion of said bolt into said bore in only one position to thereby determine the angular relation of the bit with respect to the base and for positively holding said bit in such relation.

9. A cutter chain link comprising a base portion, a lug projecting upwardly therefrom and having a longitudinally extending bore, a cutter bit positioning bolt extending through said bore and provided with a head and a slot in which a cutter bit is disposable, said head and link having cooperating contactable relatively flat portions adapted to permit insertion of said bolt into said bore in a certain angular relation and for positively preventing angular movement of the bit with respect to the' base portion, said flat por tion on the head and the slot for receiving the cutter bit being disposed in a predetermined relative angular relation, and tightening means associated with said bolt and upstanding member for clamping the cutter bit in position.

10. A cutter chain having a baseportion. and an upwardly extending angularly disposed lug having a bore extending therethrough, a bolt having a transverse slot adapted to receive a. cutter bit and also provided with a head, said bolt being insertable into said opening, and means carried by said bolt and engaging said bit for subjecting said bolt to a holding force and in turn clamping a cutter bit in said slot.

11. A cutter chain having a base and an upwardly extending angularly disposed lug provided with a bore extending therethrough, a cutter bit positioning bolt having a transverse slot adapted to receive a cutter bit and provided with a head, saidbolt being insertable into said bore,

and means for subjecting said bolt to a holding force to clamp a cutter bit in said slot, said bolt and base being provided with cooperating means whereby the bolt is adapted to have only a single predetermined position when inserted in said bore for determining the angular relation of the bit with respect to the base and for positively holding the bit in such relationl 12. A cutter chain having a base and an upwardly extending angularly disposed lug provided with a bore extending therethrough, a bolt having a transverse slot adapted to receive a cutter bit and provided with'a head, said bolt being insertable into said bore from either of opposite directions, and means for subjecting said bolt to a holding force to clamp a cutter bit in said slot, said bolt and link being provided with cooperating means whereby the bolt is adapted to have only a single predetermined position when fully inserted in said bore.

13. A cutter chain having a plurality of identical cutter bit links and connecting links, and a removable member, associated with each of said cutter links and having only a single predetermined position with respect thereto, having provision for determining the angular relation of the cutter bit with respect to the median line of the link whereby a plurality of difierent cutter bit positions may be presented while using only a single type of. cutter bit link.

14. A cutter chain having a plurality of identical cutter bit links and connecting links, and a removable member, associated with each of said cutter links, having provision for determining the angular relation of the cutter bit with respect to the median line of the link whereby a plurality of diiferent cutter bit positions may be presented while using only a single type of cutter bit link, said cutter bit links having provision whereby saidremovable members may be reversed to permit cutting in either direction. g

15. An article of manufacture forming a part of amining machine cutter chain comprising a cutter bit positioning bolt having a transverse slottherethrough adapted to receive a cutter bit, a head'on said bolt provided with a flat sur-- face having a predetermined angular relation to said slot for determining the angular relation of the bit with respect to said part and for positively holding the bit 'in such relation, and a threaded opening adapted to receive a set screw and angu-' larly disposed to said transverse slot.-

16. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore and a transverse slot formed intermediate the ends of said link and communicating with said bore, and means for supporting and holding a cutter bit positioned in said slot includextending bore and a transverse slot formed intermediate the ends of the link and communicating with said bore, and means for supporting and holding a cutter bit positioned in said slot including a member insertable in said bore, said member afiording means for determining the angular relation of the bit with respect to the chain link and for positively holding the bit in such relation, said member also being transversely slotted to receive said bit.

18. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore, means for supporting and positioning a cutter bit including a member insertable in said bore, and means for clamping said member and bit in position including an adjustable clamping element carried by said member and engaging said bit. v

19. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore, means for supporting and holding a cutter bit in either of two positions with respect to said link including a member insertable in said bore, said member being insertable within said bore from either end of the link to obtain two predetermined positions of the bit, and associated means cooperating with the link body for definitely locating the bit in aforesaid different predetermined positions withrespect to its link.

20. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore terminating adjacent a face of the link body and a transverse slot formed, intermediate the ends of the link and communicating with said bore, and means for clamping a cutter bit received in said slot against said face including a member insertable in said bore, said member affording means for determining the angular relation of the bit with respect to the chain link and for positively holding the bit in such relation, said member having an opening registering with said slot to receive the cutter bit.

21. A cutter chain link comprising a block having transverse openings therethrough adapted to receive pins to which adjacent links are connectibie, means providing a lateral guiding surface above and another one below the plane containing the centers of said transverse openings,

' and means for preventing displacement of said pins from said openings including slots in said guide means for receiving holding elements engaging said pins.

22. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore, a member insertable in said bore for receiving a cutter bit andfor holding the cutter bit in a predetermined angular relation with respect to the chain link; and adjustable means connected to said member and engageable with said bit for imparting to' the bit a clamping force in a direction opposite to the direction of clamping movement of said member.

23. A cutter chain link having a longitudinally extending bore, a member insertable in said bore and having means for receiving a cutter bit and for determining the angular position of the bit with respect to the chain link, and means for clamping'the bit in position in the chain link the bit a clamping force in a rearward direction. I

25. A cutter chain comprising bit blocks and links pivotally connecting said blocks inend abutting relation, said blocks having lateral ears at each'end thereof and said links being arranged between said ears, said ears on one block having surfaces abutting corresponding surfaces on the ears of the next adjacent block.

ranged in end to end abutting relation and straps pivotally connected to said blocks for connecting the blocks together, each block having end surfaces in end abutting engagement with corresponding surfaces on the next adjacent blocks, said abutting surfaces extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal vertical plane of the block and of a width greater than the distance between the pivotal axes of said straps and the vertical center of the block.

27. A bit holding and positioning member for a cutter chain comprising a cylindrical body for holding and angularly positioning a bit and traversed by a bit receiving opening, and an enlarged head having a flattened positioning sur-' formed on one end of said member and a holdingnut engaging said threads and acting on a face on said block.

30. A cutter chain block having a longitudinally extending bore, a member insertable in said bore and'having means for receiving a cutter bit and for determining the angular position of the bit with respect to the block, said member having a threaded end portion, and means for clamping said member in said bore with the rearward face of said bit in abutting engagement with the forward face of said block including a clamping 26. A cutter chain comprising bit blocks arnut engaging the threaded portion of said member and acting against the rearward face of said block.

31. A cutter chain comprising a bit block having a longitudinally extending bore, a bolt receivable in said bore for determining the angular position of a cutter bit with respect to the bit block and having an opening to receive a cutter bit, one end of said bolt having an enlarged head and the other end thereof having threads thereon, said opening traversing the bolt adjacent its head end, and a nut threaded on the threaded end of said bolt for clamping the bolt and bit in position in the block.

32. A cutter chain comprising a bit block having a. longitudinally extending bore, a bolt receivable in said bore for determining the angular position of a cutter bit with respect to the bit block and having an opening to receive a cutter bit, one end of said bolt having an enlarged head and the other end thereof having threads thereon, said opening traversing the bolt adjacent its head end, and a nut threaded on the threaded end of said bolt for clamping the bolt and bit in position in the block, said bolt head having a flattened surface engaging a flattened surface on the block for holding the bolt against rotation.

33. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of links flexibly connected upon axes transverse to the medial plane of the chain, a plurality of said links being bit-carrying links having a longitudinally extending bore and traversed by a bit receiving slot communicating with said bore and permitting lateral adjustment of a bit with respect to its link, and means for supporting and holding a cutter bit Within said slot in either of two positions with respect to the axial center of said link bore including a member insertable in said bore, said member being insertable within said bore from either end of the link to obtain two predetermined positions of the bit within said slot, some of said longitudinally extending bores being arranged upon one side of the medial plane of the chain and some upon the opposite side.

34. A cutting chain comprising a plurality of flexibly connected bit-carrying links each of said links having bit holding means, bit locating means cooperating with the link body for definitely locating the bit in different predetermined positions with respect to its link, and an associated bit adjustable by said holding means about an axis substantially parallel with the length of the chain into aforesaid predetermined positions, some of said adjustment axes being upon one side of the medial plane of the chain and some upon the opposite side.

35. A. cutting m 1- comprising a plurality of flexibly connected bit-carrying links, each of said links having bit holding means, bit locating means cooperating with the link body for definitely loeating the bit in different predetermined positions with respect to its link, and an associated bit adjustable about an axis at a substantial angle to the. flexure axes of the links whereby the positions of the cutting points of the bits may be adjusted into aforesaid predetermined positions laterally relative to the medial plane of the chain, some of said adjustment axes being upon one side of said medial plane and some upon the opposite side.

36. A cutter-carrying chain comprising a plurality of links flexibly connected upon axes transverse to the medial plane of the chain, a plurality .of said links being each provided with bit holding means permitting adjustment of the cutting portions-of associated bits laterally of the medial plane of the chain upon an axis arranged at a substantial angle to the link axes, and associated bit locating means cooperating with the link body for definitely locating the bit in difierent predetermined positions with respect to its link, some of said bit-carrying links having their bit holding means arranged upon one side of the medial plane of the chain and some upon the opposite side.

3'7. A cutting chain comprising a plurality of bit-carrying links flexibly connected upon axes transverse to the medial plane of the chain, a plurality of said links carrying bits grouped about an axis parallel with the medial plane of the chain and laterally offset to one side, and a plurality of said links carrying bits grouped about an axis parallel with the medial plane of the chain but laterally offset to the other side of said medial plane, and bit locating means cooperating with the body of each link for definitely locating the bit in difierent predetermined positions with respect to its link and for holding the bit in such predetermined positions.

38. A cutting chain comprising a plurality of bit-carrying links flexibly connected upon axes transverse to the medial plane of the chain, a plurality of said links having means for supporting bits in various angular relations about an axis substantially parallel with the medial plane of the chain and ofiset to one side thereof, and a plurality of said links having means for supporting bits in various angular relations about an axis substantially parallel with the medial plane of the chain and laterally oflset to the opposite side of said medial plane, and bit locating means associated with said supporting means and co-- operating with the link body for definitely loeating a bit in difierent predetermined positions with respect to its link.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

